Today, I’m pleased to welcome Colienne Regout – a specialist in Circular Economy and founder of Look4Loops – who will share how to increase your company’s resilience through Circular Economy while avoiding the trap of misguided ideas.The circular economy not only reduces waste and optimizes resources; it also enables businesses to adapt to market changes, enhance their sustainability, and ensure long-term success. If you’re an entrepreneur concerned about the future of your company, this episode is for you!
In this episode, we’ll discuss, among other things, the status quo, the acronym BISOU, and customer retention. Enjoy listening!
What is the Circular Economy?
The circular economy, often seen as a complex concept, is actually based on simple principles. Unlike the linear economy, which follows the “extract, produce, dispose” model, the circular economy aims to extend the life of resources throughout their usage cycle. Colienne describes it this way: “The circular economy is the opposite of the linear model. It’s about preserving resources by reusing and optimizing them from the design stage, and circulating them in cycles.”
This model encourages the repair, reuse, and regeneration of resources, whether natural, human, or technological. A fundamental aspect of the circular economy is the idea that resources should be kept in use for as long as possible, which not only protects the environment but also generates savings for businesses. “This creates a form of wealth and opportunity, and it’s not just an environmental approach on the sidelines of the economy; it’s a complete economic model,” explains Colienne.
Why Adopt the Circular Economy?
For Colienne, the benefits are clear. First, there is a return on investment reflected in cost reductions. “When you reduce your consumption of energy, water, or raw materials, you directly save financial resources,” she states.
In addition to direct savings, adopting a circular approach allows businesses to be less dependent on external resources and thus better manage disruptions in supply chains. “If you depend on certain raw materials stuck somewhere, you’re losing money. But if you’ve thought about a model where you optimize what you have locally, such problems can be avoided.”
A Model for All Businesses
Contrary to some misconceptions, the circular economy is not reserved for a specific sector. Whether you are in product manufacturing or service provision, you can apply circular principles to your business model. Regardless of your sector or stage of development, any company can integrate the circular economy. However, she recommends leveraging the collective intelligence of the company to facilitate the transition: “Involving all stakeholders – from executives to field staff to customers – generates ideas and ensures the feasibility of changes.”
Mistakes to Avoid
Like any transformation effort, adopting the circular economy is not without challenges. Colienne identifies three main mistakes:
- The Status Quo: “The biggest obstacle is often the fear of change,” she says. Many companies cling to outdated practices because they worked in the past. But according to Colienne, it’s crucial to question the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality to innovate and adapt to more sustainable models.
- The Obsession with Carbon Footprint: “Carbon is an important indicator, but it’s not the only one,” she warns. “Focusing solely on reducing carbon footprint without considering other issues like water pollution, biodiversity loss, or drought can create an imbalance.” She advocates for a holistic and interconnected view of environmental impacts.
- Staying on the Surface: Colienne notes that some companies focus only on visible aspects, such as recyclability, without addressing upstream issues. “Recycling is important, but it shouldn’t be an excuse not to rethink the entire production model,” she emphasizes. According to her, a deeper approach is necessary to truly transform a business into a circular economy.
How to Get Started?
For entrepreneurs looking to dive into the circular economy, Colienne advises starting small. “You don’t need a big budget to initiate change,” she asserts. She recommends that companies ask simple questions like: Where can I reduce my resource consumption? or How can I optimize what I already have? “A small initial investment can lead to significant savings in the medium and long term,” she adds.
She also encourages entrepreneurs to think about how to make their offerings more attractive to consumers. “If you make adopting your circular products or services convenient and accessible, customers will naturally follow,” she says, citing the example of shared cars, where users don’t have to manage maintenance, insurance, or parking.
Concrete Examples
During the episode, Colienne shared some inspiring examples of companies that have successfully adopted the circular economy. She mentions Susgrainable, which recycles brewing waste to turn it into nutritious flour, and the Tool Library in Vancouver, a tool library where users can borrow drills, saws, or other equipment instead of buying them. “The idea behind the circular economy is to optimize resource use at every step to prevent them from gathering dust in a closet,” she explains.
She also cites Unbuilders, a deconstruction (not demolition) company in Vancouver that recovers materials for reuse elsewhere. Globally, she mentions Fairphone, a modular and repairable phone designed to last, and PermaFungi in Belgium, which uses coffee grounds to grow mushrooms.
Conclusion: A Model for the Future
Adopting the circular economy is not just an environmental initiative; it’s a real economic opportunity for businesses. “It’s not a fixed process but a living approach that adapts to changing market realities,” insists Colienne. By integrating these principles, businesses can not only improve their ecological impact but also strengthen their resilience, retain their customers, and generate long-term savings. It’s about adopting a 360-degree vision, moving beyond the status quo, and seizing the opportunities offered by this new economic model.
If this episode inspired you and you want to learn more about the circular economy or participate in one of Colienne’s workshops, don’t hesitate to contact her via Look4Loops or follow her on LinkedIn.
Resources:
During this discussion with Colienne, several resources were mentioned, including the following links:
- Podcast Unboxing Your Packaging particularly episode #45, which discusses regulations: “The single-use plastic legislation: Is ban starting a shifting conversation?”.
- BISOU method for individuals.
- Quebec report on “L’indice de circularité de l’économie“.
Colienne Regout
- Look4Loops
- info@look4loops.com
To continue the conversation about the circular economy and discover how this approach can transform your business, check out the full episode of Micro Enterprises on all podcast platforms. Share it with your colleagues and friends to inspire them to adopt more sustainable practices!
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